Many people may hear the phrase “embezzlement” and immediately think that anyone accused of such a crime is guilty. Embezzlement obviously carries a massive stigma with it. It sounds like a crime that is committed by wealthy people, for the sole purpose of accumulating more wealth, albeit through illegal means.
Embezzlement is indeed a very serious charge, but just because someone is accused of this crime doesn’t mean that they are guilty of it. In fact, there are plenty of embezzlement cases that have collapsed due to a lack of evidence or a failure on the part of the prosecution to fully prove their side of the case.
These charges can dramatically affect a person’s life, so it is vital for someone accused of embezzlement to defend his or her case as soon as possible with knowledgeable, experienced legal representation. At the Law Offices of Michael V. Cibella, we have helped people all across the New York City area who have been accused of the serious crime of embezzlement. We know the intricacies of these cases, and we can help you mount your defense.
What many people don’t realize about embezzlement charges is that the prosecution has to prove, in a very thorough fashion, how the accused committed the actions that constitute embezzlement. They have to prove a fiduciary relationship between the parties; they have to prove the accused person acquired the assets through the relationship; they have to prove the accused took ownership of the assets (or transferred them to someone else); and they have to prove the accused did so intentionally. Failing any of these steps means the prosecution may not have a case.